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NurseJaci13

Gastric Sleeve Patients
  • Content Count

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  1. Hugs
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from mil_unloaded in Insurance Requirements — Have any of you ever bypassed or shortened the wait period?   
    Double-check if it is 6 months or 6 diet visits in different months. It may seem like splitting hairs, BUT...it can save a lot of time. For example, my first diet visit is tomorrow and my last visit is scheduled for the first week in November...a little over 4 months start to finish. It's a small loophole that surgeons/billing departments know about.
  2. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to _Chonk_ in My VSG Journey with Dr. Illan   
    Good luck, @NurseJaci13! We head down to TJ early Friday morning from LA, I am super nervous to have such an invasive elective surgery, but all the research I am doing reflects that Dr. Illan seems to be a really talented surgeon. Fingers crossed that all goes well, and I have an uneventful & speedy recovery. I'm not interested in losing weight super fast, but I am hopeful that this tool simply helps me manage my weight around a healthy BMI for the rest of my life. It's not 100% clear to me how durable the loss of plasma ghrelin is from the removal of the fundus, and whether physical hunger returns with the same intensity as pre-surgery at some point in the future. Additionally, I am hopeful that the new stomach does not relax or stretch into a pre-surgery size, which seems unlikely, based on my research. As long as I can manage to break my emotional attachment to food, and reprogram my perception of food from anti-depressant/comfort source to a dispassionate source of fuel during the initial 12-24 months or so of tightest restriction, I should be successful over the long term.

    I will be watching out for your posts, too, and am so happy to meet another of Dr. Illan's patients here. I will update everyone on my experience with him & surgical outcome over the coming weeks. take care ❤️
  3. Like
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from _Chonk_ in My VSG Journey with Dr. Illan   
    I'm going August 31st! So excited for you and I'll be following your journey

  4. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to sweetsmith78 in What do you wish you had known   
    At the time of sleeve gastrectomy, mean BMI was 43 and 78% of patients were female. They had a mean follow-up of 5.9 years. Overall, Peterli and colleagues found that the average excessive BMI lost after 1 year was 61.5%, and then 61.1% after 2 years. By 5 years, average excessive BMI lost was 57.4%, they reported.Jul 17, 2013
  5. Hugs
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from Knk710 in June 29 2020 surgery Gastro bypass   
    Good luck! Focus on being comfy the next few weeks, both in and out of the hospital. When my mom had her sleeve done, she basically lived in lose sundresses for about a month.
  6. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to GreenTealael in Dr. Duc Vuong is my new (bariatric) spiritual guide   
    Doesn't (or rather shouldn't( detract from the the helpfulness of his older stuff
  7. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to Hop_Scotch in Dr. Duc Vuong is my new (bariatric) spiritual guide   
    Yeah...no.
    He doesn't do surgery anymore, he is more into multi level marketing (pyramid schemes). Some of his earlier videos have a lot of merit but the longer the time has lapsed since he has done surgery and more into MLM and getting rich (his workshops and conferences now focus more on MLM and networking) the less merit he brings.
  8. Congrats!
    NurseJaci13 reacted to New&Improved in # 8 months post OP - maintaining well - below goal - happy   
    hello there just doing my monthly check in for those who are interested.
    So it's officially 8 months since I had my RNY BYPASS surgery.
    My journey has been good.
    Started high weight of 322lbs and I've been in maintenance now 2 months.
    I sit consistently around 165LBS most days but my lowest recent weight was 163lbs.
    I have definitely been enjoying alot more variety in my diet since maintenance began and I can tolerate most foods but still use shakes if needed.
    I am now consuming around 1500kcal most days even a few treats here and there without any side effects or weight gain.
    I'm feeling amazing and looking good.
    I'll be 36 in about 5 weeks but feel healthier than I have in 20 years!!!
    I am glad I did the right research and chose the BYPASS as my first and only surgery and I'm amazed how well I've done.
    never ever expected to lose 100% EBW but I've done it and my surgeon says I'm an anomaly only about 5% of his patients ever lose that much 😊
    I know it's only early days and things might change in regards to malabsorption of calories and such but I'll be sure to keep an eye on my weight for the long term.
    I just want everyone to see it is possible to be successful and reach all your goals.
    you just have to be 150% focused on your goals from day 1.
    Thank you all and I'll appreciate any comments.
    Mike


  9. Hugs
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from mil_unloaded in Insurance Requirements — Have any of you ever bypassed or shortened the wait period?   
    Double-check if it is 6 months or 6 diet visits in different months. It may seem like splitting hairs, BUT...it can save a lot of time. For example, my first diet visit is tomorrow and my last visit is scheduled for the first week in November...a little over 4 months start to finish. It's a small loophole that surgeons/billing departments know about.
  10. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to Proud2BMe in A patient died after surgery with Dr. Elias Ortiz at A Lighter Me!   
    People seem to forget that death is always a risk with surgery. Patients who have comorbidities, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, lung problems, etc., are at a greater risk than those who do not have such issues. The risk of death is small for a relatively healthy person. However, every patient needs to be aware of the risks before going into this.
  11. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to Machta in United Healthcare choice plus 6 month diet requirements   
    Update: I had my first appointment with the surgeon's assistant on April 30, at the height of the Covid stuff here in Colorado. I started to assemble records from my PCP and my endocrinologist, and checked back with UMR regularly. As of yesterday June 16, I have preapproval. Now I'm waiting to be scheduled. All in all, about 6 weeks from first appointment to preapproval. It was key to have all my documentation from my PCP (20+ years) and endocrinologist (10+ years). Good luck, all!
  12. Thanks
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from Bjc1227 in Did you keep surgery a secret? What did you tell people?   
    I've told my mother and a few close friends of my decision, and, at least on the surface, they've all been super supportive. My mom had the sleeve done 5 years ago and it very pleased with it, and another of my friends is going through the process right now as well (we call ourselves the "No Tummy Buddies" lol!). The two others I've told have said they are excited for me and hoping the process goes smoothly.
    I'm not planning on telling very many people, only those I trust and I spend a lot of time with so they aren't surprised by the change...I'm not ashamed, but I don't need unnecessary opinions from people who don't matter in my day-to-day life either.
  13. Thanks
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from Bjc1227 in Did you keep surgery a secret? What did you tell people?   
    I've told my mother and a few close friends of my decision, and, at least on the surface, they've all been super supportive. My mom had the sleeve done 5 years ago and it very pleased with it, and another of my friends is going through the process right now as well (we call ourselves the "No Tummy Buddies" lol!). The two others I've told have said they are excited for me and hoping the process goes smoothly.
    I'm not planning on telling very many people, only those I trust and I spend a lot of time with so they aren't surprised by the change...I'm not ashamed, but I don't need unnecessary opinions from people who don't matter in my day-to-day life either.
  14. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to JAKE H in i made the jump   
    Im no longer just alive, im actually living now. This was an experience ill never forget and i cant wait to go again. This has always been one of my goals but i was too heavy to do it. Making dreams become reality. Im loving this whole process.




  15. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to Normaj3443 in "Just one pound"   
    I'm just gonna leave this here for anyone who needs it!!
    Sent from my Pixel 3 XL using BariatricPal mobile app
  16. Like
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from KarmaNina in Optum/UHC Choice Plus BRS Nurse ?   
    That's true; however, mine doesn't do that. I only have to meet with a nutritionist two times before they accept a patient. If insurance allows it, they will move forward in as little as six weeks.
  17. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to WishMeSmaller in 6 Month Pre-Op Diet Question   
    Weight loss will make a tough job a bit easier. Good luck with nursing school! It is miserable, but you will use most of what you learn, even if you do it unconsciously. I love nursing, but am currently working in a clinic rather than a hospital, in part because my weight was making it harder on some of challenging days. Sometimes I think I might want to go back to working in the hospital when I am more fit 😊
  18. Like
    NurseJaci13 reacted to WishMeSmaller in 6 Month Pre-Op Diet Question   
    I have to think your time counts lose or gain. I would hope that weight gain would be at the surgeon’s discretion as you will have fulfilled the insurance obligation.
    I am right with you, nothing but a significant weight loss is going to change my health issues. I am also a nurse (assuming that is what your name implies) 😊. It is so frustrating that insurance is always driving health care instead of medical need.
    i hope everything works out for you, @NurseJaci13! I am just hoping this new wave of COVID cases doesn’t hijack my surgery date again. I gained about 7 pounds when my first date was canceled🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️
  19. Like
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from Knk710 in 6 Month Pre-Op Diet Question   
    As far as I can tell they don't really care if I gain or lose, at least from what my BRS nurse said. It's more about the "education" I receive. I'm more concerned that they will think I gained on purpose to get over 40, which I didn't. I also have to be over 40 or be over 35 and have co-morbidities @WishMeSmaller and I agree. I'm only 5' 3" so a pretty small weight gain or loss changes my BMI but 5-10 pounds doesn't really change my health issues. I don't think my doctor even cares that much. They want you to meet with a nutritionist twice before surgery and do two psych evals, but they don't have a minimum time to do it in. They will get you in as quickly as you meet those two requirements and insurance approves. I was just wondering if anyone else had this situation.
  20. Like
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from KarmaNina in Optum/UHC Choice Plus BRS Nurse ?   
    @KarmaNina I just got off the phone with my nurse and I discovered that part of the reason for the discrepancies is because my employer is self-insured, thus my policy isn't really a traditional health insurance policy. Chances are most of our policies are self-insured (something like 60% of large companies self-insure). As a result, my policy requirements are more strict. ugh! I also learned I have a lifetime max of...wait for it...$15,000.00! I know that it is after insurance discounts, so I'll probably be fine, but OMG! I work for one of the largest auto insurers in the US and they are CHEAP! Good to know I guess...I'll just keep letting them pay for my nursing degree so I can quit (honestly, they've paid $25,000 for an education I'll only use after I leave the company, but they limit the amount they'll pay for bariatric surgery?! Ridiculous!) I'm annoyed (maybe even a little bitter), but what can I do?
    I also found out that since I've been (virtually) going to WW for the last 3 months, I can count that towards my 6 months my employer requires as long as I see a nutritionist or physician twice in the next three months. EASY. DONE. OKAY. WILL DO.
    All this said, my BRS nurse was super nice and really seemed to want to help me get approved for surgery...no hate her way, just issues with my actual employer.
  21. Like
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from KarmaNina in Optum/UHC Choice Plus BRS Nurse ?   
    @KarmaNina I just got off the phone with my nurse and I discovered that part of the reason for the discrepancies is because my employer is self-insured, thus my policy isn't really a traditional health insurance policy. Chances are most of our policies are self-insured (something like 60% of large companies self-insure). As a result, my policy requirements are more strict. ugh! I also learned I have a lifetime max of...wait for it...$15,000.00! I know that it is after insurance discounts, so I'll probably be fine, but OMG! I work for one of the largest auto insurers in the US and they are CHEAP! Good to know I guess...I'll just keep letting them pay for my nursing degree so I can quit (honestly, they've paid $25,000 for an education I'll only use after I leave the company, but they limit the amount they'll pay for bariatric surgery?! Ridiculous!) I'm annoyed (maybe even a little bitter), but what can I do?
    I also found out that since I've been (virtually) going to WW for the last 3 months, I can count that towards my 6 months my employer requires as long as I see a nutritionist or physician twice in the next three months. EASY. DONE. OKAY. WILL DO.
    All this said, my BRS nurse was super nice and really seemed to want to help me get approved for surgery...no hate her way, just issues with my actual employer.
  22. Like
    NurseJaci13 got a reaction from KarmaNina in Optum/UHC Choice Plus BRS Nurse ?   
    Sending you lots of speedy prayers to get this approved ASAP. Let me know once you hear!
  23. Hugs
    NurseJaci13 reacted to KarmaNina in Optum/UHC Choice Plus BRS Nurse ?   
    A similar thing happened to me at the start of my journey in January 2020. The nurse case manager told me at the consultation that my insurance required 4 months of a medically supervised nutrition program. I had already called my insurance and that was not a requirement.
    So once done with my Consult I called the insurance again and was told there were no nutritionist requirements other than what the bariatric program requires.
    I spoke with the nurse case manager and she said that I had to complete the 4 month requirement. I called the insurance again and was assured that my insurance did not require nutritionist visits. I decided to keep this information to myself and not continue to call the nurse.
    It is odd to be told two different requirements but I would tend to lean to the insurance on this occasion. I did speak with my insurance again yesterday as I still am waiting for my surgery and was confirmed what was told to me the first 3 times.
    I understand your confusion because I too feel it.

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